Karissa Lin
My name is Karissa Lin. I am currently a junior in high school. My passion is running and I compete in cross country and track. About three years ago, I discovered unusual stiffness and tightness in my legs that was different from any soreness that I had before. For a while, I tried physical therapy to try and fix this problem, hoping that more strength and conditioning would be the cure. After many months of physical therapy and no improvement, I decided to have the compartment syndrome pressure test. The results came back and I was diagnosed with chronic exertional compartment syndrome. I soon learned that I would need surgery if I wanted to continue running.
In November of 2017, I had a bilateral fasciotomy on my anterior and lateral compartments. The surgery and recovery process required great patience from me. After finally being cleared to run, I soon discovered that I still had tightness in my lower legs. At first, I figured this tightness was due to healing that was still occurring in my legs after surgery. I continued to have this tightness for a while. Again, I decided to have the pressure test, hoping I would not have the same results as the first time. I was devastated when I heard the results - I still had compartment syndrome, but this time in the superficial posterior compartment of my right leg. In November of 2018, I had a fasciectomy on my right leg.
Even after my two surgeries, I am still having tightness in my lower legs whenever I run. Despite this, my most recent cross country season was the best one I’ve had. This was the first year of high school that I was able to complete every race. I still finish the race in extreme pain, but I have learned to fight through the pain to do what I love the most.
These last few years have been the greatest trial of my life. This journey is not over yet. It has been frustrating and devastating to have my passion taken away from me. But it is important to remember the good that comes out of each situation. I have grown as a person and become so much stronger than I was before. My relationships with friends and family have been strengthened because of all the support and encouragement I have received from them. In addition, I am now proud of my scars. My scars tell my story of perseverance and determination; they are a sign of strength, not weakness. My scars make me beautiful in my own way. Most importantly, I have been reminded how loved I am by my Father. God has continually provided for me throughout all of this. He has demonstrated His love for me through all of the people and opportunities He has blessed me with. God has a plan for me that is far better than anything I could imagine.
